Cordless telephone with MP3 player capability

ABSTRACT

A cordless telephone which allows a user to play MP3 digital audio bit stream music, a video game, either alone or with a user of another cordless telephone, using the remote handset of a cordless telephone to control the functions of the MP3 player. The cordless telephone remains usable as a typical cordless telephone with all the features and conveniences of a cordless telephone including, but not limited to, connection of a telephone call between a calling party and a called party, caller ID information, voice messaging features, etc. MP3 digital audio bit stream music may be downloaded from a remote source through, e.g., the Internet and a PC.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to cordless telephones. Moreparticularly, it relates to a cordless telephone which has entertainmentfunctionality beyond the conversational capability of conventionalcordless telephones.

2. Background of Related Art

Cordless telephones having a remote handset and a base unit are known inthe art. Typically, the base unit is powered by conventional AC currentfrom a household electrical outlet, and the remote handset operatesusing battery power. To recharge the battery in the remote handset, theremote handset is inserted into a cradle in the base unit for rechargingusing the AC current of the base unit. However, the remote handset maybe separated from the base unit for extended periods of time, allowingthe user to carry the remote handset with them as they move about theirresidence or other locale.

Conventional cordless telephones further typically include an earpieceand a microphone to allow a user to participate in a conversation in anestablished telephone call.

The earlier analog cordless telephones, while still prevalent, are beingreplaced with newer technology digital cordless telephones. Digitalcordless telephones typically use a 900 MHz band and make use of highpower digital spread spectrum cordless telephone technology.

In general, a conventional digital cordless telephone includes aprocessor in each of the remote handset and in the base unit, andmatching radio frequency (RF) units in each of the remote handset andbase unit, allowing digital wireless communication between the remotehandset and its base unit.

Cordless telephones have been conventionally limited to conversationaluse, e.g., for establishing a telephone call, or for providing intercomcommunications between a remote handset and its base unit. For otherfunctions outside of telephony (particularly portable functions), a useris required to obtain a separate device, and carry around both. Whileportable devices are useful, there is a point at which a user mustdecide between which portable devices to carry around at any one time,resulting in use of either the cordless telephone or the other portabledevice.

There is a need to expand the uses of a cordless telephone beyond thatafforded by conventional cordless telephones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a cordlesstelephone comprises a remote handset, and a base unit matched to theremote handset. A digital audio bit stream player is integrated withinat least one of the remote handset and the base unit.

A method of integrating a digital bit stream music player in a cordlesstelephone in accordance with another aspect of the present inventioncomprises playing pre-loaded MP3 music from a remote handset of acordless telephone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following description with referenceto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary MP3 cordlesstelephone which allows a user to play MP3 audio downloaded from anexternal source as well as otherwise conventional cordless telephonefunctionality, provided in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the multiplexing of MP3 digitalaudio with the audio from a telephone conversation, and allowing mutingof the MP3 digital audio stream, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the MP3 player portion of the MP3 remotehandset shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary downloading of MP3 digitalaudio bit stream music from an MP3 digital audio bit stream sourceavailable on the Internet. The MP3 digital audio bit stream music isdownloaded to a personal computer (PC) from the Internet source, andtransferred to the MP3 cordless telephone using a wired or wirelessconnection between a serial data port of the PC and the serial data portof the MP3 cordless telephone, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a MP3cordless telephone which allows a user to play MP3 audio downloaded froman external source as well as otherwise conventional cordless telephonefunctionality, provided in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary downloading of MP3 digitalaudio bit stream music from an MP3 digital audio bit stream sourceavailable on the Internet to the MP3 cordless telephone embodiment shownin FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a cordless telephone which allows auser to download, store, and play a digitized musical audio stream(e.g., MP3 digital audio stream), using either the keypad of thecordless telephone or a separate, dedicated keypad to control thefunctions of the MP3 player portion of the cordless telephone. Thecordless telephone of the present invention remains usable as a typicalcordless telephone with all the features and conveniences of a cordlesstelephone including, but not limited to, connection of a telephone callbetween a calling party and a called party, caller ID information, voicemessaging features, etc.

If a user of a conventional MP3 (MPEG encoded music) player goeswalking, jogging or biking in his or her neighborhood, he or she cannotreceive phone calls to their house or make phone calls from their homephone unless they are also carrying a remote handset of a cordlesstelephone. Moreover, even if they are carrying a remote handset, use ofan MP3 or other audio bit stream player makes it difficult at best tohear the audible ringing of the cordless telephone. For instance, if theuser listens to an MP3 player via a headset, they may have difficultyhearing their telephone ringing.

The present invention provides a new type of portable consumerelectronic device, i.e., an MP3 cordless telephone that can be used as ahigh power cordless telephone and/or as an MP3 player. This allows theuser to make and receive telephone calls using a cordless telephoneportion of the MP3 cordless telephone, and to listen to audio bit streammusic using an audio bit stream (e.g., MP3) player portion of the sameMP3 cordless telephone without the risk of missing a telephone callbecause they did not hear a separate telephone ringing. Moreover, theuser may make and receive telephone calls and listen to music whetherthey are inside their home or office, or in the outside neighborhoodsurrounding their home or office.

The present invention combines a high power digital spread spectrumcordless telephone together with the functionality of an MP3 player. Inparticular, in disclosed embodiments, the base unit of a cordlesstelephone includes the components of an otherwise conventional highpower digital spread spectrum cordless telephone, while the cordless(remote) handset includes the otherwise conventional digital spreadspectrum cordless telephone components. However, either the base unitand/or remote handset include an integrated MP3 player together withmemory and audio circuitry necessary to allow the remote handset tofunction as a digital MP3 player.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the MP3playing remote handset is adapted to mix the MP3 digital music audiostream together with audio corresponding to ring signals from anincoming telephone call to the base unit. The ring signals arepreferably at an audio level at or above that of the MP3 digital musicaudio stream to notify the music listener when the device receives aring signal from the base station. The base station is installed in theuser's house or office, and is connected to a telephone line from atelephone company central office. Once the listener decides to receivethe telephone call, they can activate a “phone on” or similar button toisolate the audio of the telephone call to the user. Preferably, the MP3digital audio stream is muted with respect to the earpiece of the remotehandset. More preferably, the MP3 digital audio stream is paused for theduration of the telephone call, but not necessarily. While the telephonecall is activated, the user can use the microphone and earpiece of theremote handset to converse with the caller over the establishedtelephone call.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the user caninitiate their own telephone calls using similar principles as whenreceiving a telephone call. For instance, the “phone on” or similarbutton can be activated to isolate the audio of the telephone line tothe microphone and earpiece of the remote handset. The MP3 digital audiostream is preferably muted, and even more preferably paused, for theduration of the use of the telephone.

A digital signal processor (DSP) such as Lucent Technologies 1609 withnecessary peripherals and memory added to the existing digital cordlessphone handset can be used to provide MP3 decoder/player functionality.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the remotehandset includes an external data interface port for downloading MP3music to the audio memory of the remote handset. For instance, an RS-232serial data port can be used to interface directly with an RS-232 serialdata port of a personal computer or other device, e.g., in communicationwith an MP3 audio source available through the Internet. Compression maybe used to transmit the MP3 digital audio data from the computer to theremote handset in an efficient manner.

One technique for downloading music to the remote handset from a sourceavailable via the Internet is to include a modem in the base unit of thecordless telephone. The MP3 digital audio data can be downloaded overthe Internet during a convenient period of time (e.g., overnight), orupon demand, and stored in memory either in the base unit or in theremote handset. The downloaded MP3 digital audio data can be transmittedto the remote handset via the RF communication channel between theremote handset and the base unit, either in real time or for storage inthe remote handset and later playback.

For instance, for real time operations, the MP3 digital audio may bestored in the base unit, and transmitted to the remote handset forplayback as desired. Alternatively, the MP3 digital audio may betransferred to memory in the remote handset for playback independentfrom the base unit.

The present invention enables the user to receive telephone calls whilelistening to music inside or outside their house. Moreover, it providesfunctionality of both a telephone and an MP3 player from a common audiodevice, eliminating the need for separate devices to be purchased by theuser. Integration of the MP3 player into a digital cordless telephonealso ensures that a user of an MP3 player (particularly one wearingheadphones) will be notified of an incoming telephone call whilelistening to music. Thus, missed telephone calls will be avoided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary cordless telephonewhich allows a user to play MP3 audio downloaded from an externalsource, provided in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

In particular, in FIG. 1, an MP3 cordless telephone 100 includes an MP3remote handset 104 and a matching base unit 102.

The base unit 102 provides conventional power charging capability to theMP3 remote handset 104 through suitable charge contacts 142 while theMP3 remote handset 104 is cradled in the base unit 102. Moreover, thebase unit 102 provides telecommunications between the MP3 remote handset104 and a telephone line connected to the base unit 102.

The MP3 remote handset 104 includes otherwise conventional cordlesstelephone components and functionality. For instance, the MP3 remotehandset 104 includes a speaker (earpiece) 108 and microphone 140together with suitable digital-to-analog (D/A) and analog-to-digital(A/D) conversion to allow a user to converse over the telephone line.The MP3 remote handset 104 further includes an antenna 152 and RFtransceiver to allow otherwise conventional cordless telephonecommunications between the MP3 remote handset 104 and the base unit 102.Advanced features such as frequency hopping and channel selection may beemployed as known in the art.

Importantly, the MP3 remote handset 104 includes an integrated MP3player 120. The MP3 player 120 includes an external interface (e.g., anRS-232 interface, a universal serial bus (USB), IEEE-1399 interface, aninfrared data association (IRDA) interface, etc.) 122 to allowdownloading of audio bit stream data from an appropriate source (e.g.,on the Internet via a personal computer (PC)) to appropriate memory inthe MP3 player 120. The MP3 player 120 also preferably includes a stereooutput to a headphone jack 124, although monaural playback can beperformed by summing in the MP3 audio bit stream with received telephoneconversation and output using the single speaker 108 of the MP3 remotehandset.

The summation of the MP3 audio and telephone conversation may beperformed either in digital form (i.e., before conversion to an analogsignal for output from the speaker 108 and/or from the headphone jack124), or in analog form.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the multiplexing of MP3 digitalaudio with the audio from a telephone conversation, and allowing mutingof the MP3 digital audio stream, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

In particular, in FIG. 2, the audio from the telephone line is summedwith the MP3 digital audio bit stream in an appropriate digital oranalog summer 200. For clarity purposes, it is preferred that the MP3digital audio bit stream and the audio from the telephone line be summedin digital form, before being converted to analog signals. Moreover,summation in the digital domain will greatly improve the muting of theMP3 digital audio bit stream as denoted by a figurative switch 202,particularly when a telephone call is in progress.

The summation of the monaural audio from the telephone line may besummed into each of the stereo channels of the MP3 digital audio bitstream to improve a sense of balance in the listener.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram relating to the MP3 player portion 120 ofthe MP3 remote handset 104 shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

In particular, FIG. 3 shows the implementation of an MP3 player 120 inan MP3 remote handset 104 of a digital cordless telephone 100 using ahigh performance processor 320, and a sufficient amount of erasableFlash Memory 324 to store downloaded MP3 digital audio bit stream music.

The high performance processor 320 may be any suitable processor, e.g.,a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor(DSP). For instance, the processor used in the disclosed embodiment is aDSP from the LUCENT® DSP1600™ family of processors, and in particularthe LUCENT® DSP1609 DSP having approximately 100 MIP performance.

The MP3 player 120 further includes a dedicated keypad 322, althoughmultiplexing of an existing keypad such as the alphanumeric keypadassociated with the dial pad of the cordless telephone portion of theMP3 cordless telephone 100 may alternatively be implemented.

The disclosed embodiment of an MP3 remote handset 104 further includes adigital-to-analog converter for each channel of the stereo music. Asshown in FIG. 3, a dual channel audio D/A converter 304 (e.g., thecommercially available AD1866) is implemented through communication withthe DSP 320 using a serial input/output (SIO) communication block 310 inthe DSP.

There are many architectures allowing display of information relating tothe MP3 player. In the disclosed embodiment, a serial communicationlink, e.g., an I²C serial communication link, is used to pass data fordisplay from the DSP 320 to a display driver 306.

The disclosed display is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Using an I²Cserial communication link from the DSP 320, the display driver 306 is asuitable I²C capable display driver.

As implemented, the DSP1600™ processor (e.g. DSP1609™) can decode inreal time a digital MP3 audio bit stream, as well as handling other MP3player functions such download, display messages on a LCD, supportingaudio D/A, key functions such as play, stop, forward, backward, repeat,etc. Using a high performance DSP such as the DSP1600™ family (e.g.,DSP1609™), a high performance/low cost solution is provided.

The MP3 player 120 in the MP3 remote handset 104 performs the basicfunctions found in commercially available stand alone MP3 playerdevices: (1) Downloading of MP3 digital audio bit stream data; (2)Playing MP3 digital audio bit stream data; (3) Allowing operatorkeypress control; and (4) Displaying MP3 status information to the user.

(1) Downloading of MP3 Digital Audio Bit Stream Data

IOPA[3:7] and IOPD2 of the Lucent® DSP1609™ are connected to TD, RD,RTS, CTS, DSR, DR of an RS-232 port of a personal computer (PC) toaccept a download of MP3 digital audio, e.g., from a source available tothe PC over the Internet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary downloading of MP3 digitalaudio bit stream music from an MP3 digital audio bit stream source 430available on the Internet 420. The MP3 digital audio bit stream music isdownloaded to a personal computer (PC) 450 from the Internet source 430,and transferred to the MP3 remote handset 104 using a wired (shown) orwireless connection between a serial data port 460 of the PC 450 and theserial data port 122 of the MP3 remote handset 104, in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

A suitable data transfer program on the PC 450 and an RS-232 driveroperating on the DSP 320 of the MP3 player portion 120 of the MP3 remotehandset 104 support the download of an MP3 digital audio bit stream fromthe Internet source 430, through the PC 450, to the DSP 320 of the MP3remote handset 104 through an appropriate RS-232 port 122.

The DSP 320 stores the downloaded MP3 digital audio bit stream tosuitable mass storage memory, e.g., to a serial flash memory device 324(e.g. Toshiba TC58256, 32Mx 8-bit in the disclosed embodiment).

A DSP driver adapted to interface the serial flash memory device 324 tothe DSP 320 is implemented in the DSP 320. For example, in the DSP1609™device shown in FIG. 3, pins IOPC[8:1], IOPB7, IOPB [3:0], and IOPD3 areused.

(2) Playing MP3 Digital Audio Bit Stream Data

To play an MP3 digital audio bit stream previously downloaded and storedin the Flash memory 324, the MP3 digital audio bit stream iscontinuously read from the flash memory 324 to the internal RAM of theDSP 320, then decoded by the DSP core and converted to an analog signalusing the dual channel audio D/A 304. A suitable MP3 digital audio bitstream decoding program is implemented to run on the DSP 320. Thereconstructed high quality audio signal (16-bit) is transmitted to theserial input/output (SIO) port 310 of the DSP 320, which drives the dualchannel (i.e., stereo) digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 304.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the audiofrom the telephone line can be summed within the DSP 320, or can besummed in analog form external to the DSP 320 subsequent to the dualchannel audio D/A 304. The audio from the telephone line is digitized byan appropriate digital-to-analog converter (e.g., a codec), and providedto the DSP 320.

(3) Allowing Operator Keypress Control

In the disclosed embodiment shown in FIG. 3 using a separate, dedicatedkeypad 322, input pins of the DSP 320 are used to decode keypresscommands input by the user into the keypad 322. For instance, as shownin FIG. 3, the IOPA[2:0] pins of the DSP1609™ having interruptcapability are used to implement the MP3 player key functions such asPLAY, STOP, PAUSE, FW (forward), BW (backward), F.FW (fast forward),F.BW (fast backward), and REPEAT.

(4) Displaying MP3 STATUS Information to the User

The display used to display MP3 player functionality may be the samedisplay used for the cordless telephone functionality. Thus, Caller IDmay be shown on the same display as the MP3 player status. Of course,separate displays are within the principles of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the DSP 320 generates and transmits any of a plurality ofmessages relating to the MP3 player status to the display driver 306 fordisplay to the user. For example, the length of music stored anddownloaded to the Flash memory 324 may be shown, the number of songsstored in the Flash memory 324, the elapsed time of each song stored inthe Flash memory 324, etc. may be passed to the display driver 306 fordisplay to the user.

In the disclosed embodiment, a serial link between the DSP1609™ and thedisplay driver 306 is used. For instance, an I²C LCD driver isimplemented in the DSP 320 using, e.g., the IOPD0 and IOPD1 pins of theDSP1609™. In the disclosed embodiment, the DSP 320 is established as theI²C master. Thus, the DSP 320 includes a master mode I²C driver usingthe IOPD0 and IOPD1 pins to form a suitable I²C interface. For instance,the serial clock (SCL) and serial data (SDA) signals of the I²C protocolare formed using the IOPD0 and IOPD1 pins of the DSP1609™, respectively,and operated in accordance with the I²C protocol.

Moreover, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, anaudible ring may be included in the output audio bit stream music sothat a user listening to the MP3 music may hear the telephone ringingalong with their music. To this extent, a synthesized tone may be summedwith the played MP3 digital audio bit stream music at a level which ispreferably distinctly audible to the user. The tone is preferably summedwithin the DSP 320 in digital form, but may be summed after the dualchannel audio D/A 304 in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

Of course, it is within the principles of the present invention toutilize an audible ring from a ringer in an otherwise conventionalfashion.

While the disclosed embodiments of the present invention relate to theintegration of a player of audio bit stream such as MP3 through theremote handset speaker 108 and/or headphone jack 124, the principles ofthe present invention relate equally to integration of the MP3 playercapabilities primarily in the MP3 remote handset 103, primarily in thebase unit 102 of the MP3 cordless telephone 100, or integrated withsubstantial portions of the MP3 player 120 in both the MP3 remotehandset 104 and in the base unit 102.

For instance, FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another embodimentof a MP3 cordless telephone 500 which allows a user to play MP3 audiodownloaded from an external source as well as otherwise conventionalcordless telephone functionality, provided in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the download portion of the MP3player is implemented within the base unit 502, e.g., an RS-232 serialinterface 522 and mass storage (e.g., RAM storage 585) for storing thedownloaded digital music. The base unit 102 further includes a digitalsample summer 540 to sum at least one (and perhaps both) channels of thestereo MP3 digital audio bit stream with the telephone line audioreceived by the telephone line interface 530 and digitized by a suitableanalog-to-digital (A/D) converter 597. The digital music is decoded andconverted to analog in an MP3 player 120 a in the remote handset 504.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the summed digital data is combinedand transmitted via the cordless telephone RF transceiver 550 of thebase unit 102 to the MP3 remote handset 504.

Preferably, the MP3 remote handset 504 includes MP3 player keypadcontrols allowing standard operation of an MP3 player, e.g., PLAY, REW,FFWD, etc. The selected MP3 player commands are preferably included inheader information transmitted by the MP3 remote handset 504 to the MP3base unit 502, and received and suitably processed by the DSP of the MP3player 120 a.

Other embodiments are possible within the principles of the presentinvention locating all or a portion of a digital audio bit stream playereither in the base unit, in the remote handset, or distributed betweenthe base unit and the remote handset. For instance, a digital audio bitstream may be received through an interface port in a base unit of adigital cordless telephone as shown in FIG. 5, but instead of beingstored in the base unit may be transmitted either in the original dataform or in a re-digitized form to the remote handset. The communicationbetween the base unit and the remote handset may be through any suitabletechnique, e.g., by insertion into the data packets communicated via theRF transceivers of the base unit and remote handset, through the chargecontacts 142 with appropriate filtering to separate the transmitted datasignal from the charge current, etc. Moreover, once received by theremote handset, the MP3 digital audio bit stream (or re-digitized audiobit stream) may be played either substantially in real-time as receivedby the remote handset, or stored in appropriate storage (e.g., RAM orFlash memory) in the remote handset and subsequently accessed by theuser for later playback.

If the data bit stream contains a large amount of data, it may be loadedinto the cordless telephone during periods of non-use of the cordlesstelephone, e.g., overnight.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary downloading of MP3 digitalaudio bit stream music from an MP3 digital audio bit stream source 430available on the Internet 420 to the MP3 cordless telephone 500embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

In particular, the MP3 digital audio bit stream is downloaded similar tothat shown and described with respect to FIG. 4, but using the RS-232serial interface port 422 of the MP3 base unit 402 of the MP3 cordlesstelephone shown in FIG. 5.

Preferably, MP3 digital audio bit stream music can be downloaded to theMP3 remote handset 104, 504 either while it is cradled in the base unit102, 502 or when it is remote from the base unit 102, 502. However,lengthy downloads may best be performed while the MP3 remote handset104, 504 is cradled and thus powered by the base unit 102, 502.

Accordingly, an MP3 cordless telephone in accordance with the principlesof the present invention combines MP3 or other format digital bit streamportable music player functionality with conventional cordless telephonefunctionality to provide a singular device capable of allowingsophisticated entertainment as well as cordless telephone use. Such anMP3 cordless telephone having MP3 player capability allows a user tolisten to portable digital music in a low cost and easily accessibleproduct without risk of missing a telephone call.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.A method of integrating an MPEG audio a player in a cordless telephone,comprising: connecting a base unit of said cordless telephone to apublic switched telephone network (PSTN); switching a remote handset ofsaid cordless telephone from performing as a telephony device toperforming as an MPEG audio player; and playing MP3 music from saidremote handset of a cordless telephone.
 7. The method of integrating anMPEG audio player in a cordless telephone according to claim 6, wherein:said MP3 music is pre-loaded before said step of playing.
 8. The methodof integrating an MPEG audio player in a cordless telephone according toclaim 7, wherein: said MP3 music is played substantially real-time as itis received by said cordless telephone.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled) 11.The method of integrating an MPEG audio player in a cordless telephoneaccording to claim 6, further comprising: downloading digital bit streammusic comprised in an MPEG format to said remote handset directly from aremote bit stream audio source.
 12. The method of integrating an MPEGaudio player in a cordless telephone according to claim 11, furthercomprising: storing said downloaded digital bit stream music comprisedin an MPEG format in a base unit of said cordless telephone.
 13. Themethod of integrating an MPEG audio player in a cordless telephoneaccording to claim 11, further comprising: storing said downloadeddigital bit stream music comprised in an MPEG format in said remotehandset of said cordless telephone.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled) 16.(canceled)
 17. The method of integrating an MPEG audio player in acordless telephone according to claim 11, wherein: said MPEG format isan MP3 format.
 18. Apparatus for integrating an MPEG audio player in acordless telephone, comprising: means for playing pre-loaded MP3 musicfrom a remote handset of a cordless telephone; means for switching aremote handset of said cordless telephone from performing as a telephonydevice to performing as an MPEG audio player; and means for connecting abase unit of said cordless telephone to a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN).
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus forintegrating an MPEG audio player in a cordless telephone according toclaim 18, further comprising: means for downloading digital bit streammusic comprised in an MPEG format to said remote handset directly from aremote bit stream audio source.
 22. The apparatus for integrating anMPEG audio player in a cordless telephone according to claim 21, furthercomprising: means for storing said downloaded digital bit stream musiccomprised in an MPEG format in a base unit of said cordless telephone.23. The apparatus for integrating an MPEG audio player in a cordlesstelephone according to claim 21, further comprising: means for storingsaid downloaded digital bit stream music comprised in an MPEG format insaid remote handset of said cordless telephone.
 24. (canceled) 25.(canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. The apparatus for integrating an MPEGaudio player in a cordless telephone according to claim 21, wherein:said MPEG format is an MP3 format.
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. Awireless device, comprising: a wireless handset; a base stationconnected to a wired local area network (WLAN); an MPEG audio playerintegrated within at least one of said wireless telephone and said basestation; wherein said wireless telephone can switch between performingas a telephony device and performing as said MPEG audio player.
 31. Thewireless device according to claim 30, wherein: said MPEG audio playeris integrated within said wireless telephone.
 32. The wireless deviceaccording to claim 30, wherein: said MPEG audio player is an MP3 player.33. The wireless device according to claim 31, wherein: said MPEG audioplayer is an MP3 player.
 34. The wireless device according to claim 30,wherein: said switch is initiated upon activation of a button on saidwireless telephone.
 35. A method of integrating an MPEG audio player ina wireless telephone, comprising: connecting a radio access point ofsaid wireless telephone to a public switched telephone network (PSTN);switching said wireless telephone from performing as a telephony deviceto performing as an MPEG audio player; pre-loading MP3 music into saidwireless telephone; playing said MP3 music from said wireless telephone;and muting said playing of said MP3 music when said wireless telephoneis active in a current telephone call.
 36. The method of integrating anMPEG audio player in a wireless telephone according to claim 35,wherein: said muting pauses said playing of said MP3 music.
 37. A methodof integrating an MPEG audio player in a wireless telephone, comprising:connecting a radio access point of said wireless telephone to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN); switching said wireless telephonefrom performing as a telephony device to performing as an MPEG audioplayer; pre-loading MP3 music into said wireless telephone; playing saidMP3 music from said wireless telephone; downloading digital bit streammusic comprised in an MPEG format to said wireless telephone directlyfrom a remote bit stream audio source; and storing said downloadeddigital bit stream music comprised in an MPEG format in Flash memory insaid wireless telephone.
 38. A method of integrating an MPEG audioplayer in a wireless telephone, comprising: connecting a radio accesspoint of said wireless telephone to a public switched telephone network(PSTN); switching said wireless telephone from performing as a telephonydevice to performing as an MPEG audio player; pre-loading MP3 music intosaid wireless telephone; playing said MP3 music from said wirelesstelephone; and downloading digital bit stream music comprised in an MPEGformat to said wireless telephone directly from a remote bit streamaudio source; wherein said remote bit stream audio source is accessibleby said wireless telephone via an Internet.
 39. Apparatus forintegrating an MPEG audio player in a wireless telephone, comprising:means for playing pre-loaded MP3 music from a wireless telephone; meansfor switching said wireless telephone from performing as a telephonydevice to performing as an MPEG audio player; means for connecting aradio access point of said wireless telephone to a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN); and means for muting said playing of saidpre-loaded MP3 music when said wireless telephone is active in a currenttelephone call.
 40. The apparatus for integrating an MPEG audio playerin a cordless telephone according to claim 39, wherein: said means formuting pauses said playing of said pre-loaded MP3 music.
 41. Apparatusfor integrating an MPEG audio player in a wireless telephone,comprising: means for playing pre-loaded MP3 music from a wirelesstelephone; means for switching said wireless telephone from performingas a telephony device to performing as an MPEG audio player; means forconnecting a radio access point of said wireless telephone to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN); means for downloading digital bitstream music comprised in an MPEG format to said wireless telephonedirectly from a remote bit stream audio source; and means for storingsaid downloaded digital bit stream music comprised in an MPEG format inFlash memory in said wireless telephone.
 42. Apparatus for integratingan MPEG audio player in a wireless telephone, comprising: means forplaying pre-loaded MP3 music from a wireless telephone; means forswitching said wireless telephone from performing as a telephony deviceto performing as an MPEG audio player; means for connecting a radioaccess point of said wireless telephone to a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN); and means for downloading digital bit stream musiccomprised in an MPEG format to said wireless telephone directly from aremote bit stream audio source; wherein said remote bit stream audiosource is accessible by said wireless telephone via an Internet. 43.Apparatus for integrating an MPEG audio player in a wireless telephone,comprising: means for playing pre-loaded MP3 music from a wirelesstelephone; means for switching said wireless telephone from performingas a telephony device to performing as an MPEG audio player; means forconnecting a radio access point of said wireless telephone to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN); means for downloading digital bitstream music comprised in an MPEG format to said wireless telephonedirectly from a remote bit stream audio source; and means fordecompressing MPEG formatted music into digital music samples fordigital to analog output.